Kenya, are we ready for an International star?

Story: Nasta

Photo: Courtesy

And so on October 6^th of this year one of  the greatest Hiphop showdown in East Africa came to pass, with Rick Ross taking it back to the Serengeti to give Tanzania an electrifying performance. Going by the numbers of those in attendance (around 22K), it is no doubt that the event was a massive one. While it was an honor to the region, it did bring sharp focus to Kenya’s (in)ability to host such a mega concert.

When the final confirmation of Rozay’s performance in Dar was announced, Kenyan events connector i.e promoter and Hiphop activist Buddha Blaze , went to twitter to cite reasons that have made it difficult for Kenyan promoters and corporate sponsors to fly in foreign artistes for performances on Kenyan soil. A day after the hyped performance, Blaze was once again on twitter, taking shots at the blockades hampering the likes of Rick Ross to tour Kenya. Topping his list of grievances was the fans seemingly cold reception to international acts. On one of his twitter convos, the King Of Bold event MC talks on a light note of fans that leave their houses for an event at Carnivore, only to detour at a nearby pub for drinks.

In yet another conversation Blaze insinuated that a lot of Kenyan fans often complain about the high price of concert tickets and only handful of them do turn up for a concert. A case in point was during last year’s Tusker Allstar concert which was headlined by Cabo Snoop, Shaggy and rapper Eve, so bad was the attendance turning out to be, that EABL, the concert sponsors, had to open up the gates of Carnivore to all and sundry to get in for free. The beer makers even provided transport to and from the venue, again FOR FREE.

BTW, together with Usher and Keri Hilson, Rick Ross had been EABL’s first choice for the last year’s concert, only for the company to settle for Eve and the rest as an afterthought. Just how did that came to be?

A statement that was released at the time by EABL publicists indicated that the Ruaraka based company had ‘image issues’ with the 350 pounds, heavy bearded God Forgives, I Don’t rapper. However, we all know that was nothing but a PR thingy.  The real issue was that the cost of hosting Rick Ross, Usher and Keri, all of who are A-list artists proved to be way too expensive.

How then is it that the same rapper whose show EABL wouldn’t sponsor a year back, flies to the neighboring Tanzania and holds it down under the sponsorship of the same EABL?

While it is true that in Tanzania fans are more likely to show up at a concert in huge numbers, in comparison to their Kenyan counterparts. The real concern amongst many promoters is the Kenyan Tax regime on performing international artists. This is how Buddha blaze breaks it down:-

Blaze advises the Kenyan people to push the government into amending the tax laws on foreign artists, but also terms Kenya as a Snobbish Market.

Related Story: Review of Tusker Allstar

For more follw: @DakikaMedia

Intellectual Property: What you need to know

To many it must had been seen as an attempt by Vanilla Ice to make a come back to the limelight, when he went to press about a month ago claiming that Suge Knight never held him by his ankles, off a 20th-floor balcony back in 1989. Whether his claim is true or not is of little importance at the moment, what matters is what led to the alleged confrontation-Intellectual Property (IP). Apparently cool had sampled a material from Knight’s company without consent.

Though the said material never became popular, the heavy framed Suge Knight bullied Vanilla Ice into signing over royalties from his smash Ice Ice Baby and a percentage of dough from the white boy’s hit song went to him. 

Bring it back home (for those who don't know am Kenyan). The year is 2004, Kleptomeniacs are topping the chat with the big tune Tuendelee, but there's disquiet in the streets, reason being “niendele ama nisiendele” which klepto altered to “tuendele au tusiendele” are words by Johnie of k-shaka. About a year prior to this one of Tanzania’s greatest emcee professor Jay, was trading punches with Kenya’s kapuka sensation at the time Logomba's over the use of the Former's phrase “Piga Makofi tafadhali”.

About 36 months later, the hapo sawa hit maker was at it again, this time with uganda's chameleon over the latter’s use of nikusaidaje instrumental which was a collaborative effort of professor Jay and Feeroz. Again cause of beef intellectual property. 

Proffesor Jay

A street legend has it that Kalamashaka would be millionaires today living in the suburbs and pushing fancy wheels, had producer Ted Josiah (allegedly) not played them, in their contract with the cigarette maker Benson&Hedges in the late 90s. Almost a replica script set the reel rolling on the 2007 ‘street court’ drama regarding the monthly event, WaPI. The battle had Muki Garang’ and Mwafrika standing on one side, while Buddha Blaze, his management firm SparkAfrika, and British Council on the other. Once again intellectual property came into play, with Muki claiming that WaPI(Words and Pictures) was his brainchild that had been hijacked by Buddha Blaze. In defense, Blaze stated that there had been a competitive bid to manage the event at British Council, and through his company he emerged the victor (the two have since recociled). 

Question is what is intellectual property? This is a work or invention that is the result of creativity, such as a manuscript or a design, to which one has rights and for which one may apply for a patent, copyright, trademark, etc.  Earlier today I had the privilege to attend a workshop on IP at the Nailab, moderated by patent agent Dr. Isaac Rutenberg.  

The overriding message at the seminar was the constant need by creatives to protect there God-given invaluable idea as through  a patent, copyright, or trademark, and to read keenly that contract before spilling ink to paper with a signature. 

Suge Knight’s body size might had helped him get his way to Vanilla Ice’ account, but you may not be as lucky. The likes of L.O.X, Dr. Dre and recently Young Buck have had to see huge sums of their creative earnings unduly going to other people’s pocket, for not understanding contractual terms and conditions.

P.S: This post is copyrighted so, don't copy meeeeeeeeeee! (In Missy Elliott's voice)